Nature organizations and residents want the housing plans for the Purmerbos to go into the trash. “The entire forest of 250 hectares has now been designated by the municipality as a housing location. And there is already so little nature in Purmerend. It is a great pity, and unnecessary,” says Louis Boersma of nature education IVN-Waterland, who has to restrain himself from very ugly words. Together with residents there is a petition against the plans that has already been signed more than 4600 times.
The Purmerbos is just over 30 years old and, according to Boersma, who often gives an excursion there as a guide, is very special. “It is a wet forest, on clay and therefore there are many types of ferns, for example. You don’t see that anywhere in the Netherlands. And how do you get it into your head to start building here.” The forest is also an ideal biotope for the numerous birds, which is completely disturbed. Even if you only use part of the forest for housing.
Residents of Purmerend walk for an hour every day in the Purmerbos. – NH News
Louis finds it incomprehensible that Staatsbosbeheer agrees to the building plans if sufficient nature is compensated. “Those trees are more than 30 years old and you can’t just get them back.” Louis can easily name the numerous flora and fauna that make the forest so valuable, but it is also a popular place for recreation and walking.
Living
One couple says they walk in the woods for at least an hour every day. “Very unfortunate if that is no longer possible because there is nothing else in Purmerend.” They do have a dilemma because their children, who are already well into their twenties, are still forced to live at home. “Housings are also needed, of course.”
According to Louis, these homes can also be found within the built-up area of Purmerend. “You can still build on that. Enough for the housing needs of Purmerenders.”
The petition will be presented when the city council discusses the building plans. It is not yet known when that will take place.
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